KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY FROM DEATH DUE TO HORSE’S FRIGHTAppointed: July 15, 1907End of Watch: 17, 1912

Officer Joseph Dolphin, 34 years old, was assigned to the Mounted Policeman of the Halls of Schuylkill Station. Officer Dolphin was instantly killed along with his horse when they were struck by a trolley car at Thirty-First Street and Midvale Avenue while on patrol. Joseph Christic a motorman from the Second Street and Wyoming Avenue barn was thrown from the front of the car and sustained serious injuries, following the collision. Passengers were badly shaken up as a result of the accident and several received bruises and other contusions.

Dolphin’s death was caused primarily by his horse becoming frightened as the trolley car rushed westward at high speed along Midvale Avenue. The equine became unmanageable and rearing plunged directly in front of the fast speeding vehicle. Motorman Christie tried to apply the brakes but he was too late. Dolphin and his horse were thrown directly under the wheels of the trolley and both were instantly killed. Christie fell from the platform of the vehicle and had several ribs broken and sustained other injuries. So tightly, were the policeman and horse wedged under the vehicle that it took a wrecking car a full half hour of work before they could be removed and Dolphin’s body and take him to his home 3420 West Clearfield Street.